It started with 13. From 2008-2009, I was a member of a three-student Clinton School practicum team assigned to the Newport Economic Development Commission. Our task was to assess the feasibility of developing a visual arts center in Newport, Ark.
Being first-year graduate students, new to Arkansas and the world of creative economies, we had a lot of learning to do. Through surveys, interviews and research we discovered there was tremendous untapped potential in the creative economy in Arkansas, and artists were very interested in the vision of having a space where they could create, sell and teach art.
After our initial outreach, we decided to test this theory by holding an art event. Thirteen artists participated in this inaugural event, with more than 180 members of the community attending. The following year another Clinton School team was assigned to Newport to continue outreach and develop branding.
Two weeks ago, on Feb. 23, Newport held the 5th Annual Delta Visual Arts show for the Blue Bridge Center for the Delta Arts. More than 140 artists participated and roughly 1,000 visitors attended the event. The show had seven venues, including three outdoor tents, an art contest, over $1,000 worth of door prizes, and several workshops for children and adults.
Both the quality of the art and the number of people walking away with purchased art were very impressive. My classmates and I are very proud of being a small part of this community turning its vision into reality.
Congratulations to Newport on another successful event, and we can’t wait to see what happens next year and in the future. More information on the Blue Bridge Center for the Delta Arts can be found on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/d2ueq6w.
*This post was written by Clinton School graduate Emily Fischer (’10).
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